Post by: mouse_clicker on July 04, 2004, 11:49:17 PM
Post by: Shift Key on July 05, 2004, 12:06:18 AM
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which in my mind has only Nervous in the Alley by Less Than Jake and Little Bitch by The Specials as contention for the title of best ska song ever.
DATS BLASPHEMY AND YOU KNOW IT
I still think "All My Best Friends are Metalheads" is the best song from LTJ. I'll have to try and find some music from these guys if you hold them this highly, mouse.
Quote.. which is what LTJ do better than any punk/ska band IMO - plus a large injection of humour.
dealing with social and emotional problems rather than your typical angsty love motif.
Post by: mouse_clicker on July 05, 2004, 12:47:18 AM
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I still think "All My Best Friends are Metalheads" is the best song from LTJ.
Nah, All My Best Friends Are Metalheads is 3rd, behind Last One Out of Liberty City and the aforementioned Nervous in The Alley (which is the song that got me into ska).
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.. which is what LTJ do better than any punk/ska band IMO - plus a large injection of humour.
True, but Streetlight Manifesto delves even deeper than most other punk/ska bands. Many of their songs deal with death and suicide in some way. A Better Place, A Better Time and Here's To Life could both be described as anti-suicide songs.
But don't get me wrong, I'm never one to turn down a band just because of angsty love songs- The Ataris are one of my favorite bands and just about all their songs are about some guy who wants a girl to dump her boyfriend and go out with him. I just prefer deeper stuff if they have it to offer.
Post by: Dasmos on July 05, 2004, 01:45:50 AM
Post by: Hostile Creation on July 05, 2004, 02:13:26 AM
The Decline by NOFX well exceeds five minutes. . . damn good song.
I also found a thoroughly scratched up, burned (as in homemade) Catch 22 CD, but I don't believe I've heard them either. I've listened to Less Than Jake, though.
Post by: mouse_clicker on July 05, 2004, 02:19:46 AM
NOFX recorded that in segments, though, I believe, since they couldn't make it through the entire thing in one run.And don't bother with any Catch 22 album other than Keasbey Nights- their quality really took a hit after Kalnoky left. I will say, though, that Point/Counterpoint is very similar to the titular track of Keasbey Nights, so much so it's almost a sequel.
Post by: KnowsNothing on July 05, 2004, 07:45:29 AM
Besides, Streetlight Manifesto is a cool name.
Post by: Uglydot on July 05, 2004, 08:16:05 AM
Mustard Plug
Old C-22
Streetlight
BOTAR
LTJ
RBF
Aquabats
limited Sucide Machines
Mad Caddies
Gotta love ska.
Post by: Uglydot on July 05, 2004, 08:17:06 AM
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Originally posted by: Dasmos
Dudes punk music sucks.
That's great, ska isn't punk, die.
Post by: KnowsNothing on July 05, 2004, 08:52:35 AM
Post by: Uglydot on July 05, 2004, 09:07:34 AM
2 Sick and Sad
3 Keasbey Nights
4 Day In Day Out
5 Walking Away
6 Giving Up Giving In
7 On & On & On
8 Riding The Fourth Wave
9 This One Goes Out To...
10 Supernothing
11 9mm and a Three Piece Suit
12 Kristina She Don't Know I Exist
13 As the Footsteps Die Out Forever
14 12341234
Post by: The Omen on July 05, 2004, 10:03:22 AM
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That's great, ska isn't punk, die.
Really? Than what about The Clash, the best punk band ever?
Post by: Hostile Creation on July 05, 2004, 01:07:21 PM
I can't blame NOFX for not managing that. I'd pass out. That thing is intense.
Every time I see KN I think someone's talking to knowsnothing.
I like ska, and from what I've heard it's very good, but between ska and rock I'd have to go with the latter. Something about rock and roll, especially a certain style that I'm not sure how to describe (the movie A Guy Thing has many good examples in it), strikes me in that way.
But ska is very cool. Must check out Streetlight Manifesto.
Post by: mouse_clicker on July 05, 2004, 01:59:37 PM
In fact, Here's to Life was originally a BOTAR song. Mustard Plug I'm not a huge fan of, although their ska cover of The Freshman is great. Reel Big Fish is great, of course- their two best albums are Turn the Radio Off and Why do They Rock So Hard, with Beer being their best song, in my opinion. They have a new album due out soon I've heard is awesome. I like The Suicide Machines a lot, although I think they're at their best when doing ska-core. Other great ska-core bands: The Arrogant Sons of Bitches, Capdown, and Link 80 (who even did a cover of the Madness song My Girl- quite good). And of course we can't forget the two bands that together created 3rd wave ska, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Operation Ivy. The only two songs I don't like too much on Keasbey Nights are Kristina She Doesn't Know I Exist and As the Footsteps Die Out Forever. I don't like the former because it's way too angsty for me- besides, if I want a punk/psuedo-ska angsty song about a loser who has a crush on the popular girl I'll listen to Grudge by Pain (best band ever), because it has geeky references to things like Masters of the Universe and Boba Fett.
The latter is just boring, in my opinion. Everything else, though, is wonderful, especially Dear Sergio, Keasbey Nights, and Riding the Fourth Wave (great instrumental).Quote
Really? Than what about The Clash, the best punk band ever?
I'd have to agree with you there- The Clash even joined in on the 2nd wave ska revival with songs like Rudie Can't Fail. In any case, ska has been combined with just about every musical style imaginable, from metal to new age, so everyone is bound to find something they like. Unless of course they just don't like the ska chord.
Post by: The Omen on July 05, 2004, 02:08:55 PM
Post by: mouse_clicker on July 05, 2004, 02:15:05 PM
And to say ska hasn't realize its potential just shows you don't listen to much ska at all- ska has always been political, even before punk existed. And on the whole I find ska bands delving much deeper into political and social issues than straight punk bands, who more often than not resort to just bashing Bush now. There's still a lot of great punk bands around, but the bands that really catch a lot of issues for me are ska, especially Less Than Jake and Streetlight Manifesto.
Post by: DrZoidberg on July 05, 2004, 02:29:05 PM
also demanding more pez.
Post by: The Omen on July 05, 2004, 02:34:50 PM
By the way, i'm from Jersey, and i'm quite aware of these variations of groups you're describing.
Post by: Ian Sane on July 05, 2004, 02:41:23 PM
"Don't give a damn 'bout any trumpet playing band. That ain't what they call rock 'n' roll."
That pretty much sums up my opinion of ska right there. I'm not that familiar with it but anything I have heard is full of horns which I don't really care for. I'm more of guitar/keyboards guy. Just a personal preference.
I've noticed an increasing trend that whenever someone on a forum mentions a bunch of bands they like I've never heard of ANY of them. Is everyone just afraid to admit they like songs that play on the radio or am I just really out of touch? I kick ass at Rock 'n' Roll Jeopardy so I must know something.
Oh and I always thought it was widely considered a fact that the Ramones were the first punk band and influenced the entire English punk scene when they played there. I've seen interviews where members of the Clash and the Sex Pistols mention the Ramones as influences.
Post by: mouse_clicker on July 05, 2004, 02:52:53 PM
Don't go all elitist and tell me it all died out in the 70's. There's a wealth of great punk bands around now, you just have to dig for them. Case in point Authority Zero, who just released their second CD entitled Andiamo, which is just amazing. They're very reminiscent of Bad Religion, with a bit of ska and a touch of reggae thrown in.And just because The Clash were around as long as The Ramones doesn't mean they were the ones that created the punk sound- you can't just look at dates. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones were around for quite a while in the 80's but 3rd wave ska didn't really kick off until Operation Ivy hit the scene and released Energy in 1989.
Ian: Horns are just a common addition to ska- please, please realize that ska is not just "punk with horns". List to some 1st wave ska, from artists like the Skatalites and Desmond Dekker. What really makes ska is the emphasis on the upbeat, resulting in the ska chord. Most people don't know this but ska actually predates reggae, and in fact gave birth to both it and rocksteady. Don't judge ska just on the horns, or one or two songs, because the variation is really quite amazing.
Also, Mark Knopfler is hardly the person to be commenting on ska.
Post by: KnowsNothing on July 05, 2004, 02:54:33 PM
Post by: mouse_clicker on July 05, 2004, 02:58:06 PM
In my opinion, Kalnoky and Chris are the best ska vocalists. Lately LTJ's bassist has been singing lead on a lot of songs (about half of Anthem), and even thought I really like his voice I don't think it has the raspy Chris does that adds so much to a ska/punk song.Steve Harwell of Smash Mouth has a great ska/punk voice, too. It's a shame he wastes it on the poppy new age crap Smash Mouth is doing now rather than the top notch ska/punk of their first album, Fush Yu Mang.
Post by: The Omen on July 05, 2004, 03:01:38 PM
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Omen: Psh, of course there's still punk. Don't go all elitist and tell me it all died out in the 70's. There's a wealth of great punk bands around now, you just have to dig for them. Case in point Authority Zero, who just released their second CD entitled Andiamo, which is just amazing. They're very reminiscent of Bad Religion, with a bit of ska and a touch of reggae thrown in.
It didn't die out in the 70's. It died out in the 80's. Suicidal Tendancies, they were a cross between punk and speed metal, as most in the 80's were. That doesn't mean there arent a few bands who have taken the torch, so to speak. But a lot of these garbage commercial bands are throwing around the word 'punk' a little too easily IMO. And yes, I hate Bad Religion. To me , Punk is much like Grunge. Those that were there get immunity, and those that followed get thrashed. Just the way of The Omen.
Post by: mouse_clicker on July 05, 2004, 03:25:38 PM
And why don't you like Bad Religion? Yeah, they've released some crappy stuff, especially recently, but listen to the albums Suffer, No Control, and Against the Grain- just amazing.
Post by: DrZoidberg on July 05, 2004, 03:59:10 PM
Post by: The Omen on July 05, 2004, 05:08:18 PM
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And why don't you like Bad Religion? Yeah, they've released some crappy stuff, especially recently, but listen to the albums Suffer, No Control, and Against the Grain- just amazing.
I have heard these albums ad-nauseum. While I was listening to power/speed metal, my friends werre listening to Bad Religion, Bad Brains, The dead milkmen, Minor threat, Dead Kennedys and the list goes on. The fact remains, punk is a lost art form to never be rediscovered. Punk had as much to do with the times and lead singer as any genre, ever. Grunge is the same way. There was a 5 year interval where they made a difference. Anything after that sounds like a cheap cash in. SKA is a tad different because its roots are mostly reggae. I'm not a big fan of ska, but I can appreciate new ska a lot more than new Punk or New Grunge.
Post by: DrZoidberg on July 05, 2004, 05:26:56 PM
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SKA is a tad different because its roots are mostly reggae.
no, Ska came first, as Mouse Clicker said earlier, I would have said it earlier also if MC haden't allready.
Post by: mouse_clicker on July 05, 2004, 05:37:05 PM
Ska first came about in the late 50's in Jamaica and was not only the country's first indigenous music but also their national music style for a while. I believe it was during one particularly hot summer in 1965 that the ska beat was slowed down, thus creating rocksteady, which eventually evolved into reggae. A very young Bob Marley actually got his start in a ska band called The Wailers.
Post by: Ian Sane on July 05, 2004, 07:08:06 PM
He wasn't. Or at least I don't think he was. The quote I used was from Sultans of Swing and I just thought it would funny to throw it in.
"And on the whole I find ska bands delving much deeper into political and social issues than straight punk bands, who more often than not resort to just bashing Bush now."
I think it would be a funny to make pro-Bush punk song. THAT would turn some heads and come across as truly rebellous. It would be rebelling against other punk acts, not conforming to the cliche non-conformist.
Post by: DrZoidberg on July 05, 2004, 09:21:23 PM
Post by: Uglydot on July 05, 2004, 10:03:10 PM
Post by: The Omen on July 06, 2004, 04:04:55 AM
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Do your research a bit, Omen, ska came first. Ska first came about in the late 50's in Jamaica and was not only the country's first indigenous music but also their national music style for a while.
I believe calypso and steel pan drums were very popular in the carribean in the 30's and 40's. I guess it wasn't officially reggae because of the speed. You know what? I don't even care about that.
Have you ever been bored and decided to argue for the sake of arguing?
Post by: Mario on July 06, 2004, 06:09:04 AM
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Originally posted by: Ian Sane
I've noticed an increasing trend that whenever someone on a forum mentions a bunch of bands they like I've never heard of ANY of them. Is everyone just afraid to admit they like songs that play on the radio or am I just really out of touch?
I feel the same way.
Quote
Originally posted by: Dasmos
Dudes punk music sucks.
Your favourite band sucks.
Post by: DrZoidberg on July 06, 2004, 06:32:53 AM
I like how I've got music from a wide variety of decades, genres, countries in my cd rack hard drive. Music from:-
Australia
America
Japan
Korea
The Netherlands
Germany
New Zealand
England
Scotland
The Internet (it's a counry too)
and so on.
oh, Continuing being eliteist in this music thread.
Post by: KnowsNothing on July 06, 2004, 07:19:04 AM
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your mother sucks.
That is blatantly against the rules. Band.
Post by: Hostile Creation on July 06, 2004, 09:48:38 AM
Post by: mouse_clicker on July 06, 2004, 12:35:35 PM
Post by: ib2kool4u912 on July 06, 2004, 05:52:50 PM
Post by: mouse_clicker on July 06, 2004, 06:41:43 PM
And since there seems be a few Less Than Jake fans here, remember to pick up their next album, B is for B-Sides on July 20th- it's the rest of the songs from the Anthem sessions. I've heard about half of the songs, great stuff.
Oh, and for those looking for song titles for Everything Goes Numb, here's a track listing:
1. Everything Went Numb
2. That'll Be the Day
3. Point/Counterpoint
4. If and When We Rise Again
5. A Better Place, A Better Time
6. We Are the Few
7. Failing, Flailing
8. Here's to Life
9. A Moment of Silence
10. A Moment of Violence
11. The Saddest Song
12. The Big Sleep
Post by: bonestormer on July 08, 2004, 11:09:10 AM
I too though am sick of peopel saying punk (or ska/punk) is dead. Just because they don't play it on your radio doesn't mean there isn't good {stuff} out there. Just bands like New Found Glory have given it a bad name when stations go around calling it "punk".
Post by: The Omen on July 08, 2004, 04:05:16 PM
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too though am sick of peopel saying punk (or ska/punk) is dead. Just because they don't play it on your radio doesn't mean there isn't good {stuff} out there. Just bands like New Found Glory have given it a bad name when stations go around calling it "punk".
Be sick all you want. I don't listen to the f'n radio, haven't in at least 5 years. Punk, in terms of everything it once was, is dead. There still maybe great punk bands out there, but the punk scene wasn't only music.
It was a lifestyle-a certain viewpoint, opposing viewpoints, poilitical, incorporating different musical styles and streetwise rebellion all at once. That part is dead. The punk scene is dead. I still hear these idiotic groups trying their hand at grunge, and it comes off badly for the most part because that time in music history is gone. It doesn't carry the same weight as it did in the early 90's. Theres no emotional backbone for most of these groups that try it now. That is what i'm saying. I'm not saying theres no good punk groups out there.
Post by: mouse_clicker on July 08, 2004, 05:24:11 PM
You need to learn to appreciate things by themselves instead of trying to judge them by some standard.
Post by: mouse_clicker on July 22, 2004, 10:42:43 PM
Post by: Uglydot on July 23, 2004, 07:27:21 PM
Post by: Hostile Creation on July 23, 2004, 08:14:10 PM
Anyone who hasn't ever listened to They Might Be Giants should. They are one of the best bands ever, and I tend to be very picky.
Post by: StrikerObi on July 24, 2004, 04:49:51 PM
Also, Less Than Jake's new album, B is for B-Sides, takes anthem. and rips it a new one (for the record, I loved anthem.).
Post by: mouse_clicker on July 24, 2004, 06:46:42 PM
Post by: Uglydot on July 24, 2004, 09:48:34 PM
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Originally posted by: mouse_clicker
You've only heard the first track, Striker? For the love of god, listen to it the second your record store gets it in. In my opinion Everything Goes Numb is a lot better than Keasbey Nights
Quoted for truth.
Post by: StrikerObi on July 29, 2004, 08:49:31 AM
Post by: Hostile Creation on July 29, 2004, 12:45:02 PM
I've been listening to more Streetlight. They're good.
Post by: mouse_clicker on July 29, 2004, 12:53:44 PM
The only good thing that could possibly come out of it is if the Bosstones' trombone player joined Less Than Jake. He filled in for Buddy a while back when LTJ was on tour and stuck around a bit after Buddy got back, which made their live shows even better. I also don't think it's a coincidence that Hello Rockview, easily the best LTJ album, had 2 trombone players.
Post by: Ian Sane on July 29, 2004, 01:47:53 PM
Whoa! That's a song I've heard on mainstream radio before. Are we allowed to talk about it in a positive way?
Post by: mouse_clicker on July 29, 2004, 02:04:32 PM
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Whoa! That's a song I've heard on mainstream radio before. Are we allowed to talk about it in a positive way?
Surprisingly the radio does play ska from time to time, rare as it is- I once heard a Reel Big Fish song on the radio, which is very ironic considering they're (excellent) debut album was titled "Turn the Radio Off".
Post by: Uglydot on July 29, 2004, 03:53:16 PM
It is true that ska tends to be very gimmiky, that is because ska is meant to be fun.
"We don't you slammin in the pit, NO..."Skankin's meant for fun, not for gettin hurt!"
Post by: Hostile Creation on July 29, 2004, 05:23:13 PM
Style is very important to me. The Bosstones seem to have it. Others seem to have some, but not as much as they could. Music should be fun, but it should also be more than fun. I can't imagine becoming a musician and doing what they do.
Post by: KnowsNothing on July 29, 2004, 05:32:49 PM
You have good taste in........animals.
Anyway, skanking is the most fun way to dance ever (except for my own style. those of you who saw the dancing ghouls video know what I'm talking about.
). I'm absolutley horrible at it, but it so goddamn FUN. FUN DAMMIT. NEEDS MORE SALT.
Post by: mouse_clicker on July 29, 2004, 06:07:57 PM
Post by: Hostile Creation on July 29, 2004, 06:23:29 PM
I'm not sure how to skank, but I don't mind. I do what I do and you can't define it, which is fine with me.
Post by: Uglydot on July 29, 2004, 06:28:27 PM
2. Stomp your boots to the beat
3. Throw you knees in the air
4. Like you don't caaaare"
That is about as close as you need to follow. Everyone has their own little style. I love seeing people with a different style from my.
Post by: mouse_clicker on July 29, 2004, 07:21:52 PM
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I'm not sure how to skank, but I don't mind. I do what I do and you can't define it, which is fine with me.
I'm not entirely sure how to skank, either, but I know it's based on a sort of run-in-place dance rudeboys did in Jamaica during the first wave of ska. I think beyond that you pretty much just do what you want.
Post by: StrikerObi on July 29, 2004, 07:28:37 PM
"If your knees aren't touching your elbows, you aren't doing it right"
This is a general rule. But there is really no wrong way to skank. It's just a running-in-place high stepping sorta dance. Feel the beet and go for it. Depending on the type of ska (if it's punk/ska or not) also changes it a bit. Plus it's awesome to jump into the mosh pit and just start skanking to a band like Less Than Jake. A few people will follow your lead, and if it's a really skankable song (like Johnny Quest) then you can get everybody skanking. Regardless, running around in the mosh pit screaming out lyrics at the top of your head is the most fun you can possibly have on this planet.
Post by: mouse_clicker on July 29, 2004, 07:43:02 PM
Post by: Uglydot on July 30, 2004, 08:54:09 AM
Post by: StrikerObi on July 30, 2004, 12:16:52 PM
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Originally posted by: mouse_clicker
Less Than Jake organizes running rings and whatnot, too, it's awesome. They're such a great live show.
Not to mention they've also brought fire-eaters on tours, which is awesome. And then there's Mr. Skull. Right now Vinnie's latest obsession is confetti cannons.
Post by: mouse_clicker on July 30, 2004, 12:28:40 PM
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Right now Vinnie's latest obsession is confetti cannons.
I myself have some authentic LTJ confetti from last year's Warped Tour. They also shot shirts out of canons, which was pretty cool.
Post by: Uglydot on July 31, 2004, 09:03:52 PM
